Hank Azaria to Direct Outsourced

The Hollywood Reporter says that Hank Azaria is in talks to direct the layoff comedy Outsourced for Columbia Pictures.

Azaria, who voices the characters of Moe Szyslak, Apu and Chief Wiggum on Fox’s “The Simpsons,” is set to make his feature directorial debut on the project. He helmed the 2004 short Nobody’s Perfect, an ensemble comedy featuring Ellen Pompeo, Maria Bello, Sarah Silverman and himself.

Outsourced is set in motion after an American factory is shut down and transported to Mexico. Two men from the production line venture south of the border to get their jobs back.

Columbia bought the pitch in 2004 from writer Timothy Dowling as a starring vehicle for Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson. Currently, no cast is attached.